4 and 5 May

4 May: Remembrance Day

5 May: Liberation Day

At 8pm on 4 May, Remembrance Day, the whole country commemorates Dutch people who have lost their lives in wars or peace operations since the outbreak of the Second World War. Just before 8pm, the Queen and the Prince of Orange lay a wreath on behalf of the Dutch nation at the foot of the National Monument in Dam Square, Amsterdam. Then, at 8pm exactly, everyone is silent for two minutes, as they remember the victims. The two minutes’ silence is followed by the national anthem (the ‘Wilhelmus’), a speech, and a poem, which is written specially for the occasion each year. War survivors and dignitaries then lay wreaths at the monument. Amsterdam children also lay a wreath.

 

5 May, Liberation Day, is a day of celebration in the Netherlands. It is a national holiday on which we celebrate the liberation, in 1945, of the Kingdom of the Netherlands from the German and Japanese occupation. On this day, we think about the meaning and importance of freedom, fundamental rights, and democracy. The programme begins with an address on these subjects. Then the Prime Minister lights the liberation fire. This is the official start of all sorts of activities around the country, such as liberation festivals with performances by musicians and DJs. The national celebration ends with an open-air concert on the Amstel in Amsterdam, attended by the Queen and the Prime Minister.